Seagrass meadows are more than just coastal greenery. Beneath the waves, they capture carbon and bury it in the seafloor, storing it safely for decades or centuries. This makes seagrass a powerful ally in the fight against climate change



But there’s a catch. When humans flood coastlines with too much nutrient pollution - especially from wastewater - it doesn’t just mess with the water. It messes with the seagrass, too.



Scientists wanted to find out exactly how this works, and they didn’t take shortcuts. Over nine years, researchers observed what happened when they added extra nutrients to seagrass beds. What they found was a balancing act between helping and hurting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-balance-of-seagrass-and-nutrients">The balance of seagrass and nutrients</h2>



In the warm, shallow waters of tropical bays, seagrass grows in sandy beds. Such places are usually poor in nutrients. That may sound bad, but it is one of the reasons why seagrass is good at capturing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-plays-a-major-role-in-global-carbon-storage/">carbon</a>. 



The plants grow slowly and consistently, extending their roots deep into the sediment where carbon is stored and trapped.



But when researchers added <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lack-of-phosphorus-will-limit-growth-of-the-amazon-rainforest/">phosphorus</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kelp-farms-could-help-clean-up-coastal-nitrogen-pollution/">nitrogen</a> to these beds, something interesting happened. The seagrass responded with a burst of growth. 



First, it strengthened its root systems. Then, it put more energy into its blades - the flat, grass-like leaves. As the roots grew quickly, they also died more quickly, sending extra carbon into the sediment. That should be good news, right? 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-shadow-of-too-much-nitrogen">The shadow of too much nitrogen</h2>



Here’s where things got complicated. When nitrogen levels went too high, the team saw a surge in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invisible-forest-of-phytoplankton-thrives-in-a-warming-climate/">phytoplankton</a> - tiny algae that float in the water. These blooms blocked sunlight, putting the seagrass at risk.



“People thought excess nutrients were killing seagrass,” said Jacob Allgeier, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the <a href="https://umich.edu/">University of Michigan</a>. 



“But we show that as long as there are not too many nutrients, which would also increase phytoplankton, the seagrass will just increase growth with excess nutrients.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-experiment-worked">How the experiment worked</h2>



To figure out what was really going on, a team led by recent doctoral graduate Bridget Shayka went hands-on - literally. The team collected seagrass samples from test plots in the Bahamas. 



Shayka and 17 undergraduate students separated each plant into parts: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-meadows-still-thrive-on-floridas-nature-coast/">blades</a>, sheaths, roots, and rhizomes (the stems that grow underground). Next, the parts were freeze-dried, crushed, and tested for nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon.



The researchers found that nutrients from human sources had a bigger effect than those from fish.



“The systems we study are pretty low-nutrient systems, so adding nutrients can increase seagrass production,” said Shayka, now a program officer at Ocean Visions. 



“But we also know that when you go too far and add too many nutrients, it really destroys these systems. It's one of the leading causes of their destruction around the world and in coastal systems.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nitrogen-isn-t-the-only-problem">Nitrogen isn’t the only problem</h2>



In another experiment, the researchers tried 21 varied nutrient ratios in bottles of seawater and phytoplankton. They were curious to know if the ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus mattered more than just the amount of each nutrient. The results surprised them.



In this system, phosphorus had a stronger positive effect on seagrass growth. Nitrogen, on the other hand, caused phytoplankton levels to spike. That meant more light-blocking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-algae-play-an-unexpected-role-in-cooling-the-earth/">algae</a> in the water and more stress for the seagrass beds.



“When you grow tomatoes, you don't just add nitrogen. You add a perfect ratio of nitrogen and phosphorus. That idea is replete in our society,” said Allgeier. “But because we tested the water column and because we tested the seagrass, we're able to say that model doesn't work in our system.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seagrass-and-carbon-storage">Seagrass and carbon storage</h2>



It’s unlikely that we’ll stop nutrient pollution altogether. But these findings suggest we don’t need to. Instead, we need to manage it better.



“We're not stopping nutrient enrichment. It's just not going to stop,” said Allgeier. “But we can manage it. And how do you best manage it? We scrub it for nitrogen.”



If local communities can control nitrogen runoff - especially from sewage and agriculture - they might give seagrass a better chance to grow, store carbon, and stay alive. This matters, not just for marine ecosystems, but for climate action too.



Seagrass may not get the attention coral reefs or rainforests do, but when it comes to carbon storage, it’s one of the most powerful tools in nature.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.70401">Global Change Biology</a>.



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Seagrass is a powerful climate weapon - unless we drown it in nutrients

Seagrass meadows are more than just coastal greenery. Beneath the waves, they capture carbon and bury it in the seafloor, storing it safely for decades or centuries. This makes seagrass a powerful ally in the fight against climate change But there’s a catch. When humans flood coastlines with too much nutrient pollution - especially from wastewater - it doesn’t just mess with the water. It messes with the seagrass, too. Scientists wanted to find out exactly how this works, and they didn’t take shortcuts. Over nine years,...

Heat records fall so often now that most people barely look up from their phones when the news flashes across the screen. Yet every fraction of a degree matters, because hidden in that extra warmth are hair-trigger switches built into Earth systems that are critical for all life on our planet.



Push them too far and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-polar-ice-sheets-cant-withstand-1-5c-warming-target/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enormous ice sheets</a>, ocean currents, and forests may snap into a new state - one that pulls polar bears, fishers, and farmers down a road none of them chose.



Scientists call those switches “tipping points.” Cross one and the change races ahead on its own. Glaciers speed up, rainforests dry out, and deep-sea conveyors stall.



The concern is no longer for some distant era. The time is now, as global temperature average already exceeded the 1.5 °C line in 2024 - the line that years of diplomacy drew in the sand has already been crossed.



The <a href="https://wmo.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Meteorological Organization</a> now expects the planet to spend its second full year above 1.5 °C of warming in 2025, turning a once-distant red line into an imminent test of global resolve.



That prospect has moved tipping points from academic debate to kitchen-table worry, sparking renewed interest in what overshooting the <a href="https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paris Agreement</a> limit would actually mean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-systems-reach-the-tipping-point">Earth systems reach the tipping point</h2>



Earth’s big stabilizers - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-lakes-in-greenland-have-crossed-a-tipping-point/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland’s ice</a>, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-sheet-past-present-and-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Antarctic Ice Sheet</a>, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/collapse-of-main-atlantic-ocean-circulaton-current-amoc-is-already-happening/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atlantic overturning circulation</a>, and the Amazon rain forest - behave much like the keystones in an arch. Dislodge one and the entire structure can shift. 



When warming pushes any of these elements beyond a point of no return, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-warming-fuels-dangerous-methane-feedback-loop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">self-reinforcing feedbacks</a> kick in. 



Ice retreats faster than it can regrow, forests lose moisture until they dry out, and currents stall because the density differences that power them weaken.



The danger grows because these systems interact with one another. Fresh water from melting ice can slow Atlantic currents, which in turn changes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-amazon-rainforest-is-approaching-widespread-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainfall over the Amazon</a>, which then stores less carbon. 



Scientists call that domino effect a tipping cascade, and it means one regional change can snowball into worldwide trouble in a geological blink.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overshoot-the-hidden-tripwire">Overshoot: the hidden tripwire</h2>



Most conversations about climate targets focus on the final destination, but the journey matters just as much. 



A temporary spike above 1.5 °C, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-confirmed-as-earths-hottest-year-in-recorded-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">as we had in 2024</a>, can still light the fuse on irreversible change. This is called an "overshoot." 



Even if humanity later reins temperatures back, the damage may be locked for centuries because the feedback loops that drive a tipping event rarely work in reverse at the same speed.



Researchers explore these possibilities with simplified computer models that strip the planet down to its most sensitive gears.



Those models show that the combination of a high peak and a long stay above the threshold raises the odds that at least one major system fails. Push the peak past 2 °C and the odds rise sharply.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-four-giants-on-the-edge">Four giants on the edge</h2>



That grim arithmetic sits at the heart of a new study led by scientists from multiple organizations.



The team linked four equations - one for each of the giants mentioned earlier - so they could watch how Earth systems lean on one another as temperatures swing. 



“Our results show why reducing emissions this decade is crucial for the state of the planet. Failing to reach the Paris Agreement target risks reshaping the Earth’s systems for centuries to come," explained co-author Dr. Robin Lamboll, from the <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/environmental-policy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center for Environmental Policy</a> and the <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grantham Institute</a> at Imperial College.



Their experiments show how an overshoot can tip Greenland into a rapid melt, loosen the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, rob the Amazon of its rain, and weaken the Atlantic conveyor that keeps Europe mild. 



Because each element amplifies the others, the researchers warn that avoiding overshoot is less a nice-to-have and more a safety requirement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risk-rises-each-tenth-degree">Risk rises each tenth-degree</h2>



“With every tenth of a degree above 1.5 °C, the risk of tipping points increases,” explains Annika Ernest Högner from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (<a href="https://www.pik-potsdam.de/en/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PIK</a>). 



“If global warming were to exceed 2 °C, those risks would rise even more sharply. That’s deeply troubling, especially since current climate policies are projected to lead us to about 2.6 °C of warming by the end of the century.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-facing-a-stark-reality">Facing a stark reality</h2>



When the research team modeled a scenario where temperatures never dropped back below 1.5 °C by 2100, they found that at least one of Earth’s four major systems, or tipping elements, was triggered in roughly 24% of simulations. 



That's nearly a one-in-four chance of crossing a threshold that’s hard to reverse.



An even grimmer scenario - where temperatures peaked near 3 °C before gradually declining - resulted in a 45% chance of triggering a permanent shift by 2300.



“Our results show that to truly minimize tipping risks over the coming centuries and beyond, we must not only reach but sustain net-zero greenhouse gas emissions,” said Tessa Möller, co-lead author and a researcher in the IIASA <a href="https://iiasa.ac.at/programs/ece" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Energy, Climate, and Environment Program</a> and at PIK. 



“Sticking to current policies could lock us into a 45% chance of triggering irreversible changes by 2300 - even if we later bring temperatures back below 1.5 °C after a temporary overshoot.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-s-vital-systems-need-fast-action">Earth's vital systems need fast action</h2>



Speed matters. The Atlantic overturning circulation already shows early warning signs of slowing, hinting that its safety margin is thinner than once believed (<a href="https://www.realclimate.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RealClimate.org</a>). 



Avoiding further stress means flattening emissions in the 2020s, not the 2040s. Every year of delay nudges the peak higher and lengthens the overshoot, stacking the odds against a stable future.



Cutting pollution today offers an immediate bonus: less warming buys time to develop cleaner technology and sturdier infrastructure. It also keeps the climate’s tightrope walker from swaying so far that balance becomes impossible. 



Slowing the wobble now leaves the next generation with a stage that is still walkable instead of a wire that has already snapped.



-----



Special thanks to the scientists and researchers at at the <a href="https://iiasa.ac.at/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis</a> and the <a href="https://www.pik-potsdam.de/en/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research</a>, with colleagues from <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imperial College London</a>.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-49863-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Scientists determine that major Earth systems are on the verge of total collapse

Heat records fall so often now that most people barely...

Cannabis has been deeply intertwined with human civilization for over 10,000 years. It has served many purposes - from producing textiles and food to providing medicinal oils.



Although most people today associate cannabis with its psychoactive compound <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cbd-relieves-anxiety-without-the-risks-that-come-with-thc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">THC</a> (tetrahydrocannabinol), its historical significance extends far beyond recreational use. 



Despite its long-standing importance, cannabis has remained one of the least developed crops, largely due to a century of legal restrictions. Recent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-legalization-does-not-increase-youth-substance-abuse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">legislative changes</a> in the United States, passed in 2014 and 2018, have revived interest in cannabis cultivation.



Now, scientists from the <a href="https://www.salk.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Salk Institute</a>, in collaboration with Oregon CBD, Oregon State University, and the HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology, have created the most detailed genetic atlas of cannabis to date. The findings open the door to new possibilities in agriculture, medicine, and industry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-and-its-untapped-strengths">Cannabis and its untapped strengths</h2>



Cannabis sativa, also known as hemp, is a flowering plant originally from Asia. It stands out for its ability to produce strong fibers and for generating high quantities of cannabinoids - compounds with medicinal properties. 



Researchers and innovators believe cannabis derivatives could one day rival canola or soybean oils and even offer a sustainable alternative to jet fuel.



Cannabis is remarkable for its chemical productivity. It can produce more than 30% of its dry weight in terpenes and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabinoids-as-pesticides-study-reveals-potential-of-hemp-compounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabinoids</a>. Terpenes are responsible for the aromas in many fruits and flowers, while cannabinoids, such as CBD (cannabidiol) and THC, interact with the human body to offer therapeutic benefits. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-cannabis-treatments">Potential cannabis treatments</h2>



CBD gained widespread attention when the "Charlotte's Web" strain helped treat epileptic seizures, broadening the public's perception of cannabis. 



More than 100 other cannabinoids, still poorly studied, are thought to hold promise for treating ailments like pain, arthritis, nausea, depression, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chemical-found-in-cannabis-plants-can-actually-reduce-cannabis-induced-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anxiety</a>.



Yet, the effects of selective breeding on cannabis’s genetic diversity have long been a mystery. Understanding its genome has been a significant challenge. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sequencing-cannabis-genomes">Sequencing cannabis genomes</h2>



Cannabis is a dioecious plant - meaning male and female sexes are on separate plants - and its genome is filled with transposable elements, DNA sequences that can move around and complicate genetic analysis.



To unlock cannabis’s secrets, the researchers used a process called sequencing to map its DNA. Traditional sequencing methods, known as short-read sequencing, break the DNA into small fragments for study. 



However, new long-read sequencing technologies can capture much larger stretches of DNA at once, providing a clearer picture of complex and repetitive regions.



“There are limits to what you can discover with short-read sequencing technologies, since those short genetic excerpts are impossible to stitch together in any meaningful way when looking at complex regions of the genome, especially repetitive DNA sequences,” noted Lillian Padgitt-Cobb, a postdoctoral researcher involved in the study. 



"We’re among the first to harness this long-read technology at scale in the pangenome context, and with that comes all these insights into structural variation and gene ordering that can inform end-game decisions about breeding favorable traits into cannabis plants.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extraordinary-amount-of-genetic-variation">Extraordinary amount of genetic variation </h2>



The Salk team’s work is not the first to apply long-read sequencing to cannabis. In 2018, one of the researchers generated the first chromosome-level genome of cannabis, shedding light on where cannabinoids are synthesized and the genetics behind the Charlotte’s Web strain. 



However, the new project goes much further. It includes 193 different cannabis genomes, making it the most comprehensive cannabis pangenome yet. 



This is also the first study to include sex chromosomes and to achieve what is called haplotype resolution - the decoding of both sets of chromosomes in the plant, inherited separately from male and female parents.



By studying both chromosome sets, the team revealed an extraordinary amount of genetic variation, possibly up to 20 times greater than what is seen in humans. 



“With this haplotype resolution,” Padgitt-Cobb explains, “we can look at what was inherited from just one of the parent plants and start to understand the breeding and background of that plant.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-differences-in-cannabis-strains">Genetic differences in cannabis strains</h2>



The researchers gathered genomes from 144 cannabis plants worldwide. Collectively, these formed the cannabis pangenome, providing an unprecedented view of the plant’s genetic diversity.



The detailed analysis uncovered surprising patterns. About 23% of genes were found in every genome, while 55% were nearly universal. Another 21% were moderately common, and less than 1% were unique. 



Genes involved in cannabinoid production were among the most consistent, showing up across nearly all genomes.



Other genes, particularly those involved in fatty acid metabolism, growth, and defense, varied more widely. These genes could be critical for future breeding efforts, helping to create cannabis plants that are more resilient and nutritionally valuable. 



The team also found that variations in fatty acid biosynthesis are linked to the production of tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), a lesser-known cannabinoid gaining attention for its non-psychoactive, energizing effects.



When it came to cannabinoid genes, researchers noticed that two genes - THCAS and CBDAS - are likely under strong selective pressure from human-directed breeding. 



Interestingly, these genes are located within transposable elements, suggesting that selective breeding has driven even more genetic variation by targeting these “jumping” regions of DNA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-avenues-for-agriculture-and-medicine">New avenues for agriculture and medicine</h2>



The research team found exciting new targets for improving cannabis crops. By comparing European and Asian genomes, they suggest that an undiscovered wild relative of cannabis may exist somewhere in Asia. This plant could possess valuable traits for breeding hardier, more resilient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-production-may-soon-get-a-major-boost/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis strains</a>.



Another important discovery lies in the cannabis sex chromosomes. The team found that male plants contain unique genes not present in feminized plants. 



In modern breeding, "feminization" techniques are used to induce female plants to produce male flowers, bypassing the Y chromosome entirely. However, this practice might be overlooking important genetic diversity.



“Over the last 10 years, breeders have already done a decent job of getting yields up and making cannabis an economically viable crop,” said Ryan Lynch, a postdoctoral researcher and lead author of the study.



“Once there’s market interest there, paired with these new insights into cannabis genomes that can guide breeding efforts, I can see <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabinoids-as-pesticides-study-reveals-potential-of-hemp-compounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hemp</a> and hemp oils really booming in both human health and industry applications.”



In the near future, the researchers hope that this new pangenome will serve as a valuable resource for scientists and farmers. With better information about the plant’s DNA, cannabis can be improved for more uses - fiber, seed oil, medicine - and brought into a new era of innovation.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09065-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Scientists reveal the most complete cannabis genome yet

Cannabis has been deeply intertwined with human civilization for over...

Medical,Cbd,Candies.cannabis,Infused,Gummy,Bears.cannabis,Edibles,,Medical,Marijuana,candies,Infused

Marijuana has long been debated as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. Some people view it as a benign stress-reliever with fewer hazards than tobacco products. 



Evidence from a recent study challenges that assumption.



The research was led by first author Leila Mohammadi, MD, PhD, and senior author Matthew L. Springer, PhD, at the <a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, San Francisco</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-users-and-heart-damage">Cannabis users and heart damage</h2>



A study followed 55 participants who were already cannabis users or individuals who did not use any nicotine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dopamine-changes-from-cannabis-last-at-least-one-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">products</a>. Each cannabis user had a habit of consuming it at least three times a week for at least one year.&nbsp;



The group included smokers who averaged around 10 years of use and those who used <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/tetrahydrocannabinol" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tetrahydrocannabinol</a> in edible form with around five years of use. 



The nonsmoking control group showed healthier cardiovascular indicators than any of the cannabis-using groups.



Researchers uncovered decreased blood vessel function in participants who either smoked marijuana or took edibles containing the psychoactive compound in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/cannabis-sativa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cannabis sativa</a>. 



They found vascular function in those using either type of cannabis was roughly half that of nonusers. This was linked to higher chances of <a href="https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/blood-heart-circulation/endothelial-dysfunction.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">endothelial dysfunction</a>, which refers to impaired operations of the cells lining blood vessels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-linked-blood-vessel-damage">Cannabis-linked blood vessel damage</h2>



When blood vessels lose flexibility or responsiveness, that can heighten the likelihood of conditions such as heart attacks and hypertension. 



Some previous <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.cir.103.23.2805" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">findings</a> have also associated marijuana use with possible triggers for cardiovascular complications. The current study adds more data to consider for those who routinely depend on cannabis for relaxation or pain relief.



The potential link between endothelial dysfunction and cannabis use raises concerns about early development of vascular disease. 



This condition involves impaired nitric oxide production and reduced elasticity in the arteries, both of which influence how well blood moves around the body. If this process falters too much, people may face a spike in heart-related <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cbd-reduces-the-unwanted-side-effects-of-thc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">risks</a> over the years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smoking-cannabis-and-heart-health">Smoking cannabis and heart health</h2>



Investigators noticed that marijuana smokers had distinct changes in their blood serum that were harmful to cells lining blood vessels. Those taking edibles, however, did not display the same harmful shift in serum properties.&nbsp;



This might indicate that the act of burning and inhaling <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-potency-cannabis-use-linked-to-epigenetic-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a> smoke triggers certain biochemical pathways not activated by ingesting THC in food or beverage form. 



Both methods still resulted in diminished vessel function, but the underlying mechanisms appeared to vary.



This discovery opens the door for closer evaluation of how inhaled cannabis influences nitric oxide and other chemicals in the bloodstream. 



Experts have tried to pinpoint how THC might harm vessels, but these findings suggest there are yet-to-be-mapped pathways involved. 



They highlight the need for more research to understand how different routes of use impact the cardiovascular system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eating-cannabis-and-heart-health">Eating cannabis and heart health</h2>



Some <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12412838/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scientists</a> have drawn parallels between marijuana smoking and tobacco use when it comes to cardiovascular strain. 



Both involve inhaling combusted materials that may generate oxidizing particles and other toxins. 



This study found that while chronic users of edibles also showed diminished endothelial function, it did not seem tied to changes in blood serum.



Experts have suggested that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cbd-reduces-the-unwanted-side-effects-of-thc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">THC</a> may cause adverse cardiovascular effects through interactions with cannabinoid receptors in the heart or blood vessels. 



Edible users might be experiencing those effects in a way that bypasses the bloodstream’s immediate signaling changes linked to smoking. 



The findings also hint that inhalation may carry a bigger immediate impact on serum factors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-all-of-this-mean">What does all of this mean?</h2>



Many people view <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/medicinal-cannabis-helped-patients-feel-better-for-a-full-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">edibles</a> as a safer alternative to smoking. Edibles do avoid the dangers of inhaling combusted matter, yet the overall vascular function among both smoking and non-smoking users in the study was still notably reduced compared to nonusers. 



That’s a cautionary sign for anyone who feels that avoiding smoke means avoiding all serious health risks.



Medical or recreational users might want to stay alert to these issues. Some individuals turn to cannabis for relief from pain or anxiety, but this research indicates a need for awareness about cardiovascular health. 



Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider could be wise, especially for those with a family history of heart disease.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heart-health-cannabis-and-the-future">Heart health, cannabis, and the future</h2>



The study team noted that the specific mechanisms behind THC’s effect on blood vessels remain somewhat unclear. They observed that smoking marijuana affects blood vessel function in ways distinct from ingesting THC. 



This means new research should aim to pin down which components of smoke, vapor, or other byproducts may be most harmful.



Scientists are likely to explore whether occasional marijuana use carries the same risk as chronic use. More data on dosage levels and individual differences could help the medical community develop more precise guidelines. 



Current work sets the stage for larger population studies that can track cardiovascular parameters over longer timeframes.



Cardiovascular health is a lifelong matter. This research shows that both edible users and smokers should keep an eye on how cannabis might impact their heart and blood vessels. 



Caution makes sense until medical professionals reach a clearer understanding of how best to reduce any risks linked to routine use.



The study is published in <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/article-abstract/2834540" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Cardiology</a>.



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Cannabis use in any form directly linked to significant risk of heart damage

Marijuana has long been debated as a safer alternative to...

Yeast may seem unremarkable at first glance. Most of us know it as the stuff behind bread and beverages, yet there is more to these tiny organisms than meets the eye.



A new study reveals that genetic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yeast-in-forests-reveals-a-story-of-ancient-human-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diversity</a> and temperature tolerance are closely linked, offering fascinating insights into how certain species might endure in a rapidly changing world. 



The findings come from work led by <a href="https://www.su.se/english/profiles/jemo1068-1.650245" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jennifer Molinet</a> and <a href="https://www.su.se/english/profiles/rstel-1.321100" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rike Stelkens</a>, both researchers in the Department of Zoology at Stockholm University.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yeast-helps-us-study-evolution">Yeast helps us study evolution</h2>



Yeast is actually a <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/microorganism" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microorganism</a> that belongs to the kingdom of fungi. It has been essential to humankind’s cooking and fermentation processes for centuries. 



Scientists also use it in the lab to investigate big questions in ecology and evolution because it reproduces quickly and is easy to grow under controlled <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-and-bakers-yeast-have-similar-dna/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions</a>.



These qualities helped researchers watch adaptation unfold over 600 generations. A temperature increase from 77°F to 104°F provided a model of future warming.



This setup allowed them to see how eight different yeast species, each with unique histories, handled steamy conditions without stepping outside the lab.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-yeast-handles-heat">How yeast handles heat</h2>



The team monitored the growth and development of these yeast populations and took note of shifts in temperature tolerance. They gathered data about how each species performed at various points along the heat spectrum. 



This continuous observation offered a window into <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169534712001425" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">experimental evolution</a>, where small changes can accumulate into noticeable differences.



“We found that different species use different evolutionary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brewing-beer-in-space-the-future-of-fermentation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strategies</a> to adapt to heat: some species, already warm-tolerant, did not improve their performance, but rather expanded their temperature range," said Molinet.



"Other species, more adapted to the cold, were able to withstand higher temperatures, but this came at the cost of reduced overall fitness," she added. No single adaptation path appeared across all species. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yeast-s-changing-abilities">Yeast's changing abilities</h2>



Certain yeast species excelled at handling the heat but lost out in other areas. Those with cooler preferences had room to push their upper limit, though they sacrificed maximum growth in the process. 



This pattern hints that there might be trade-offs for any population facing an environmental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-new-window-into-the-early-evolution-of-flowering-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shift</a>. Some species broadened their tolerance without boosting their ability to thrive at hot temperatures. 



Others raised their limit for warmth but ended up less efficient when it came to peak growth. That distinction may be critical when predicting how biodiversity fares in changing environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warming-threatens-biodiversity">Warming threatens biodiversity</h2>



<a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/biodiversity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biodiversity</a> is the variety of life that enriches ecosystems around the world. Studies like this one show how organisms can adapt under stressful conditions. 



The research also hints that species already equipped for warmer climates might keep improving, while those that like cooler spots could struggle to keep up. Small genetic changes can make a big difference in how a species responds to environmental stress. 



Over time, genetic adaptations could alter entire ecosystems if certain microbes become more common. This raises a puzzle about who wins and who loses when heat becomes the norm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-lessons-from-yeast">Climate change lessons from yeast</h2>



The same group has looked at other organisms too. In a separate <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40379980/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">publication</a>, they studied temperature adaptation in seed beetles. 



This sort of comparative approach shows how different species, from insects to fungi, adjust to new extremes.



It all comes down to how well an organism’s <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037810979900292X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary potential</a> can keep pace. <a href="https://imet.usmd.edu/activities/what-genetic-diversity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Genetic diversity</a> forms the bedrock that allows populations to respond to new pressures. With more variation comes a higher chance that some individuals carry traits well-suited for a hot future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yeast-shows-how-microbes-may-shift">Yeast shows how microbes may shift</h2>



One of the most interesting points of the study is that it highlights the unique paths organisms including yeast take in response to climate change. This could guide us in anticipating how microbes, and possibly pathogens, might shift their ranges or behaviors. 



Early insight can help researchers stay a step ahead in tracking which strains pose threats or benefits under higher temperatures.



Adaptation isn’t uniform. We cannot assume that every organism will simply become more heat-tolerant. Some will expand their temperature ranges, while others will change their optimal growth zone.



If entire populations head in different directions, future ecosystems could look very different.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-past-shapes-future-evolution">The past shapes future evolution</h2>



“If temperatures change in the future, it is still the history in our genes that determines if and how we can adapt,” said Dr. Stelkens. The past leaves a stamp on the present. 



The findings underline how the unique background of a species can limit or boost its path forward. That sense of individuality is a reminder that no two species are alike. Each carries genetic memories of ancient environments.



Some are better equipped for certain extremes, while others are at a disadvantage when conditions shift too far from what their ancestors experienced.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-yeast-and-climate-research">Ongoing yeast and climate research</h2>



Experiments with yeast and other microbes allow researchers to explore how life’s building blocks respond to new challenges including climate change.



There is still much to learn about specific genetic mechanisms behind heat tolerance and how trade-offs affect survival. Future work may reveal ways to preserve vulnerable species as conditions change.



Adaptation studies can also help scientists predict whether new strains might develop harmful traits. This can be pivotal for fields like medicine and agriculture, where a small genetic tweak in a microbe can affect disease spread or crop production. 



Ultimately, staying informed on such developments might protect our well-being.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2423262122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Yeast evolution reveals limits to surviving climate change

Yeast may seem unremarkable at first glance. Most of us...

Beneath the sandstone cliffs of Wollemi National Park, an unassuming evergreen has stirred curiosity among plant lovers and conservationists alike. It looks like any other conifer from a distance, but it carries a backstory that stretches to the age of dinosaurs.



Scientists only realized its significance in 1994, when a group trekking along a narrow canyon stumbled upon it. Among them was <a href="https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/government---state/display/121366-david-noble" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Noble</a>, a field officer from the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forgotten-past-of-the-wollemi-pine">Forgotten past of the Wollemi pine</h2>



The <a href="https://www.conifers.org/ar/Araucariaceae.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Araucariaceae family</a>, which includes the Wollemi pine, traces its lineage to roughly 200 million years ago. The tree’s thick, textured bark and distinctive foliage link directly to fossils from the Jurassic era.



Botanists were surprised to see this tree thriving in a sheltered gorge after so many centuries. A then-Director of the <a href="https://www.kew.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Botanic Gardens</a> remarked that the Wollemi pine was the “botanical equivalent of finding a small dinosaur still alive on Earth.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-securing-a-living-fossil">Securing a living fossil</h2>



This species remains <a href="https://apistaging.iucnredlist.org/species/34926/150329250#:~:text=Wollemi%20Pine%20Wollemia%20nobilis%20has,(i%2Cii)%3B%20D" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">critically endangered</a> according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (<a href="https://iucn.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a>). 



Fewer than 100 mature individuals exist in the wild, and they are at high risk from events like wildfires and invasive pathogens.



Strict biosecurity steps are in place to keep these precious trees safe. 



Any person granted access is required to undergo decontamination to guard against <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/invasive-species/publications/management-phytophthora-cinnamomi-biodiversity-conservation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Phytophthora cinnamomi</a>, a soil-borne menace known for devastating vulnerable plant populations.



Conservation organizations recognized early on that establishing the Wollemi <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-trees-are-reaching-new-heights-in-the-mountains/">pine</a> outside its habitat was essential. 



These efforts spurred research on growing seedlings in botanic gardens and even in private homes, reducing the urge for poaching and building global awareness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fight-against-poaching-and-plant-crime">Fight against poaching and plant crime</h2>



The Wollemi pine’s rarity has made it a target for illegal collectors. Authorities have reported attempted thefts and unauthorized visits, prompting tighter surveillance and enforcement in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-earths-most-endangered-plants-from-extinction-proving-difficult-botanic-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protected area</a>.



To reduce black-market demand, officials expanded legal propagation through licensed nurseries in the early 2000s. 



This strategy gave collectors a legal way to obtain the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/slow-and-steady-tree-growth-wins-the-race-for-carbon-capture/">tree</a> while protecting the wild population from being raided.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-guarding-a-timeless-treasure">Guarding a timeless treasure</h2>



Its wild population remains under tight surveillance. Rangers keep watch for any sign of shifting climate patterns that might harm these old-growth survivors, with particular attention to droughts and fires. 



In January 2020, a heroic firefighting effort spared a cluster of Wollemi pines from an intense blaze, underscoring the dedication of those who safeguard it.



Despite the challenges, young trees continue to be distributed to botanical institutions worldwide. Some <a href="https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/discover-and-learn/plant-conservation-and-discoveries/genetic-diversity-discovered-wollemi-pine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">specialists</a> estimate that a few could live for nearly 1,000 years, adding another layer of fascination to this enduring story.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wollemi-pines-and-climate-resilience">Wollemi pines and climate resilience</h2>



The Wollemi pine’s survival strategy may offer clues for climate change adaptation in other species. Its ability to persist through massive shifts in Earth’s environment makes it a valuable subject for studying long-term ecological resilience.



Researchers are exploring how the pine’s physiology handles temperature extremes and water stress. Insights from its ancient genome could guide future efforts to protect modern forests facing worsening climate instability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-science-is-preserving-its-future">How science is preserving its future</h2>



Scientists at <a href="https://www.kew.org/wakehurst/whats-at-wakehurst/millennium-seed-bank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank</a> are storing seeds from mature Wollemi pines to secure a genetic backup. These seeds are preserved under carefully controlled conditions to ensure they remain viable for decades.



In addition to seed banking, tissue culture and cloning efforts are underway to maintain genetic diversity. 



By using multiple propagation techniques, researchers aim to prevent a genetic bottleneck that could leave the species vulnerable to future disease or environmental change.



The Wollemi pine’s unexpected reappearance has challenged long-held beliefs about extinction. Scientists now recognize that some species thought lost may still survive in remote or unexplored regions.



This discovery has encouraged new exploration strategies in biodiversity hotspots. Conservationists are investing in advanced surveying tools like <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-remote-sensing-and-what-it-used" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">remote sensing</a> and <a href="https://iucn.org/resources/issues-brief/environmental-dna" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental DNA</a> to uncover other hidden survivors.



Photo credits: Grzegorz Grzejszczak.



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The Wollemi pine, a 200-million-year-old survivor from the Jurassic period, is now the most protected tree on Earth

Beneath the sandstone cliffs of Wollemi National Park, an unassuming...

Across the globe, the fight against climate change has sparked a movement. One of the most common strategies is tree planting. Rows of trees lining empty fields have become a symbol of hope. While this practice does help trap carbon, a new study urges us to look deeper - into the forests themselves.



The research highlights the potential of forest-based agroforestry (FAF), which nurtures existing forests and supports climate stability, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-undisturbed-forests-support-greater-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>, traditions, and local economies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tree-planting-vs-forest-management">Tree planting vs. forest management</h2>



Tree planting is straightforward. You plant new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-provide-different-health-benefits-based-on-their-structure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a> where there were none before. This approach works best on treeless lands like empty farms. These new trees absorb carbon and cool the environment. But forests already serve as massive carbon reservoirs. The key lies in how we manage them.



Forest-based agroforestry offers a different path. Instead of planting trees in bare spaces, it introduces crops into living forests. This method encourages sustainable interaction. It enhances both forest health and productivity. Unlike industrial agriculture, it does not remove existing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/many-forests-that-benefit-people-also-shelter-endangered-birds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a> or disrupt ecosystems. It adds to them.



“We want to make sure that we clarify that forest-based agroforestry (FAF) can achieve similar climate benefits as tree planting in fields,” said Karam Sheban, the study's lead author at <a href="https://www.yale.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yale University</a>.



“The big takeaway is that human management of forests can result in better outcomes for forests, for people, and for the climate. It is not a zero-sum game.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-forest-farming-works">How forest farming works</h2>



Agroforestry is not a new idea. For generations, communities have grown food alongside trees. However, most modern programs focus on combining trees with open farmlands or pastures. FAF flips that model. It introduces agricultural activities within standing forests, not at their edges or in cleared sections.



This forest farming practice draws heavily from Indigenous and traditional knowledge systems. It doesn’t separate people from nature. Instead, it respects forests as living systems. 



People grow crops beneath forest canopies, harvest fruits or medicinal plants, and maintain biodiversity. The forest stays alive, and so does the human connection to it.



The study revealed that FAF promotes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-forests-are-struggling-to-keep-pace-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon storage</a>, soil health, and wildlife diversity. It also creates economic opportunities. Forest dwellers can earn by collecting forest products like berries, herbs, or nuts. Unlike clear-cutting or monoculture farming, this model does not exhaust the land.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-tree-planting">Looking beyond tree planting </h2>



Despite its promise, FAF does not receive the attention it deserves. Most agroforestry investments go toward tree-planting campaigns. These are often easier to fund, measure, and promote. A sapling in a field is a visible success. A managed forest, full of life and complexity, is harder to capture in a report.



The authors identified two major misconceptions holding FAF back. First, people often mistake it for industrial agroforestry. These systems focus on mass production of cash crops like coffee or cacao. 



In contrast, FAF supports ecological balance. Second, they wrongly apply lessons from tropical forests to temperate or boreal forests. This leads to flawed assumptions and missed opportunities.



“There’s a narrative that human activity in forests causes degradation, and that we really should leave forests untouched to maximize climate benefits. But humans living in and around forests have been supporting forest health for thousands of years and continue to do so now,” Sheban said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-the-climate-narrative">Changing the climate narrative</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-too-many-trees-could-spoil-the-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tree planting</a> and forest preservation are not mutually exclusive. We can maintain forests and still use them wisely. The idea that humans and forests must be kept apart is outdated. Forest farming offers a middle ground - neither full exploitation nor untouched isolation.



The researchers argue for thoughtful policies. They want FAF recognized in agroforestry discussions and separated from harmful industrial practices. They urge more research in cooler forest regions. 



Currently, most data comes from tropical zones. But boreal and temperate forests also have potential. Understanding how FAF works in these regions could reshape land-use policies.



“For natural climate solutions involving trees, everyone is currently focused on removal of carbon from the atmosphere through tree planting. In the right place, this can be an effective strategy and the idea that removing a tree through forest management might be beneficial seems counter-intuitive to people, especially given how people develop attachments to individual trees,” said study co-author Mark Bradford. 



“Yet, forest management often necessitates removing some trees for the collective benefit of the forest. As people start to become aware of forest-based agriculture, we need to get that message out that effective forest management can achieve multiple services.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forest-farming-a-path-to-resilience">Forest farming: A path to resilience </h2>



The future of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-still-fighting-climate-change-against-all-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> action lies not just in creating new landscapes but in renewing old ones. Forest-based agroforestry can reduce emissions, sustain livelihoods, and honor long-standing human relationships with nature. It deserves a stronger place in our conversations, budgets, and policies.



By shifting how we think about forests - from untouched reserves to living, working ecosystems - we can unlock new paths toward resilience. This means empowering local communities, respecting traditional knowledge, and investing in management systems that do more than just look good on paper.



The climate conversation is changing. And as this study shows, forests are not just part of the background. They may be central to our solutions - if we choose to manage them with care and purpose.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-025-02344-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Climate Change</a>.



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Traditional forest farming is an overlooked climate solution

Across the globe, the fight against climate change has sparked...

Kelp forests, once a towering and life-filled part of many temperate coastlines, are vanishing fast. In their place, low-growing mats of turf algae are taking over. 



This shift isn't just cosmetic. It’s causing steep losses in biodiversity, disrupting how energy and nutrients flow through reefs, and changing the chemistry of coastal waters in ways scientists are just beginning to understand.



Researchers from Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Maine and the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Riverside</a> have now uncovered a surprising reason why kelp forests struggle to bounce back. 



The study shows that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-stress-causes-undetected-changes-in-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">turf algae</a> aren't just crowding out kelp - they’re also releasing chemicals that can kill young kelp sporelings before they have a chance to grow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-kelp-forests-aren-t-bouncing-back">Why kelp forests aren’t bouncing back</h2>



“That’s why this study is so powerful,” said Doug Rasher, Bigelow Laboratory senior research scientist and the study’s senior author. 



“It moves logically from describing a pattern in nature - the lack of recovery of kelp forests - to revealing that the chemical landscapes of kelp forests and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bleached-coral-reefs-recover-quickly-in-the-absence-of-human-influences/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">turf</a> reefs are fundamentally different, and to demonstrating that turf algae and the chemicals they exude prevent kelp recruitment.”



For years, scientists have documented the transition from kelp to turf in many temperate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-and-habitat-degradation-have-devastated-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine ecosystems</a>. But understanding what prevents kelp from returning has remained elusive.



“This shift from kelp to turf is analogous to a terrestrial forest transitioning into a grassland,” explained Shane Farrell, a UMaine doctoral student based in Rasher’s research group. “With the loss of kelp forests, we see decreases in biodiversity, productivity, and the ecosystem services they provide to humans.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-chemical-clues-in-the-ocean">Tracking chemical clues in the ocean</h2>



Earlier studies pointed out that turf algae crowd out space and often shelter small grazers that nibble on baby kelp. 



But in tropical rainforests and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reefs-could-vanish-if-temperatures-continue-to-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral reefs</a>, chemical signals in the environment have also been shown to lock ecosystems in degraded states. No one had tested if something similar might be happening in cold-water kelp forests.



To explore this, the researchers surveyed sites across the Gulf of Maine for three years. In southern Maine, where kelp forests had collapsed, new kelp was struggling to survive. The researchers gathered seaweed and water samples for chemical analysis.



Instead of targeting known compounds, the team worked with biochemistry experts to use a technique called non-targeted metabolomics. This method looks at every small molecule in a sample - even ones that have never been catalogued - to capture the full chemical picture of a site.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-chemistry-of-turf-takeover">Surprising chemistry of turf takeover</h2>



Waterborne chemicals were isolated and analyzed by breaking them into fragments and matching them to reference libraries. But that revealed only a fraction of the story. 



According to Farrell, over 98% of the chemical signals had never been described before. So the team used computational tools to predict what those molecules might be, grouping them into chemical families.



“It is awesome to see how our non-targeted metabolomics tools can shed new light on the fascinating chemical complexity caused by shifting environments, such as invasive algae,” said Daniel Petras, assistant professor of biochemistry at UC Riverside. 



“This becomes especially powerful when we combine our chemical data with functional information, such as kelp survival.”



The result? Kelp forests and turf reefs had completely different chemical fingerprints. And the chemicals found around turf algae looked suspiciously toxic to baby kelp.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kelp-forests-cannot-survive-turf-toxins">Kelp forests cannot survive turf toxins </h2>



To test this, researchers ran a series of lab experiments. They exposed kelp gametophytes - the early life stage of kelp - to two things: water from turf-dominated reefs, and chemicals isolated from the five most common turf algae species.



The outcome was dramatic. In some cases, the survival of the young kelp dropped by 500%. The chemicals being released by turf algae weren’t just unhelpful - they were deadly.



“Our study is the first to reveal that chemical warfare can underpin the rebound potential of cold-water kelp forests. And surprisingly, some of the same types of molecules we identified on turf reefs are involved in the recovery dynamics of tropical coral reefs too,” Rasher said. 



“It shows we have a lot to learn about chemical warfare on temperate reefs, the organisms and molecules involved, and how this process varies globally.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reversing-ocean-warming-is-not-enough">Reversing ocean warming is not enough </h2>



The Rasher group’s earlier work showed that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/warming-oceans-intensify-viruses-that-kill-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming oceans</a> were the main driver of kelp forest collapse in the Gulf of Maine. But this new study explains why reversing warming alone won’t be enough to bring kelp back.



“Once turf algae are established, just curbing global carbon emissions and reversing ocean warming is not going to bring Maine’s kelp forests back,” Farrell said. “Because of these feedback mechanisms, we need local interventions to remove the turf algae before kelp will actually recover.”



In other words, it’s not just about temperature anymore. To restore kelp forests, we’ll need to tackle the chemical battles happening underwater - battles that are invisible, but no less real.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adt6788" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Kelp forests in crisis: How toxic turf algae are taking over

Kelp forests, once a towering and life-filled part of many...

Trees, shrubs, and other greenery lining city streets are essential for creating healthier, more climate-resilient urban environments. They cool neighborhoods during heatwaves, absorb air pollution, support mental health, and even reduce carbon in the atmosphere.



But while these benefits are widely acknowledged, scientists have struggled to consistently monitor how street-level vegetation is changing - especially in fast-growing cities across the world.



A new study led by Giacomo Falchetta of the <a href="https://iiasa.ac.at/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis</a> (IIASA) introduces a breakthrough method for keeping tabs on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-green-spaces-are-urgently-needed-across-the-global-south/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban green spaces</a>. 



The researchers used satellite imagery and machine learning to monitor how much vegetation exists along city streets and how that is shifting over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-global-view-of-green">A global view of green</h2>



“Our aim was to develop a method to monitor how much green infrastructure exists along streets and how it changes over time,” said Falchetta.



“Street greenery has well-documented benefits - it reduces <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cool-roofs-on-city-buildings-secret-to-beating-urban-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban heat</a>, improves mental health, and can also absorb carbon. But until now, it’s been difficult to track it globally in a consistent and timely way.”



To tackle this issue, the team built a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-machine-learning-can-help-us-protect-chimpanzees/">machine learning</a> model to estimate what’s known as the Green View Index (GVI), a measure of how much greenery is visible from a pedestrian’s point of view.



The model was trained on labeled street-level images from cities around the world and then applied to satellite data collected between 2014 and 2022. In total, the researchers assessed 190 large urban areas across 20 global regions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-subtle-but-significant-decline"><a></a>A subtle but significant decline</h2>



The findings show that, on average, cities around the world are losing street-level greenery at a rate of 0.3 to 0.5% per year. Although these numbers may sound small, over time they add up. This is especially true in areas where temperatures are rising and green spaces are already limited.



Some regions are seeing even steeper declines. Urban areas in Asia and Oceania showed the most rapid losses, with median drops in street greenery of 1.7% and 2.6% per year, respectively.



By contrast, cities in Europe and North America showed modest gains of around 1% annually. Cities in Africa and Latin America exhibited smaller and more inconsistent changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-aren-t-shared-equally">Trees aren't shared equally</h2>



“Not only is greenery decreasing in many places, but it’s also distributed unequally," said senior author Ahmed Hammad, a scientist at <a href="https://decatab.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Decatab PTE LTD</a> in Singapore. "In many cities, green space is sparse where people live." 



"This disparity raises serious questions of fairness and access, especially as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-made-heatwaves-more-deadly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heatwaves</a> and other climate stressors intensify.” 



Urban greenery is not just a luxury - it’s a form of public infrastructure with life-saving potential. Yet in many cities, wealthier neighborhoods are noticeably greener. Climate impacts hit lower-income communities harder, leaving them with fewer trees and less shade.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-tool-for-every-city">A tool for every city</h2>



The strength of the new monitoring method lies in its scalability and accessibility. Anyone - from local governments to international agencies - can use the model and update it in real time using free Sentinel-2 satellite data and climate records.



City planners can combine GVI data with indicators like energy use, health outcomes, and temperature trends to target greening efforts more effectively.



The model provides real-time updates and is open-source. Moreover, it supports smart, data-driven decisions for greening cities in ways that are both effective and equitable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planning-for-a-greener-future">Planning for a greener future</h2>



The research aligns closely with the <a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Nations Sustainable Development Goals</a> - particularly Goal 11, which focuses on building sustainable cities and communities.



As climate impacts grow, authors say cities must prioritize protecting and expanding green infrastructure in urban planning.



“Our results can support targeted greening policies,” Falchetta explained. “With <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-extremes-alter-how-sunlight-travels-through-clear-lakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate extremes</a> on the rise, ensuring equitable access to green space is more urgent than ever. Our work can be a valuable resource for cities to make more informed, just, and targeted greening decisions.”



In a time of rapid urbanization and climate uncertainty, cities need tools to help them grow sustainably. This new approach to monitoring street greenery offers not only a snapshot of where we stand today - but also a roadmap for a more resilient, equitable, and green urban future.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2634-4505/add9c4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability</a>.



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Alarming loss of urban greenery revealed in new models

Trees, shrubs, and other greenery lining city streets are essential...

Proteins are central to life because they shift shape in response to molecules they encounter. Some transform in milliseconds, triggering everything from muscle movement to signals in the nervous system.



Scientists have tried for decades to engineer these biological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-find-new-forms-of-life-inside-humans-rna-carriers-obelisks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">building blocks</a> to do specific tasks. 



Now there is a fresh example of synthetic proteins that adjust just like those found in cells, described by Tanja Kortemme, PhD, a professor of bioengineering at the <a href="https://www.ucsf.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, San Francisco</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proteins-that-change-shape">Proteins that change shape</h2>



Natural proteins shift into new configurations when they meet triggers such as ions or small molecules. This motion can set off downstream effects, including the release of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/neurotoxin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurotoxins</a>, the contraction of heart muscles, or the breakdown of complex nutrients.



Until recently, most engineering methods focused on building rigid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-life-begins-egg-sperm-and-a-covert-team-of-proteins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shapes</a>. That approach has powered household cleaning solutions and lifesaving drugs like insulin, but it fell short when trying to capture the graceful movements found in biological systems.



Many teams have used advanced computational tools, including <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03819-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alphaFold2</a>, to predict how proteins fold. A few years ago, these tools took a leap forward, solving perplexing puzzles that once consumed research labs for months.



The latest research adds movement to these predictions. By adjusting a protein so it can switch between two shapes, the scientists hope to open possibilities in medicine, agriculture, and even <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-algorithms-can-increase-ocean-plastic-cleanup-efficiency/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental cleanup</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-synthetic-proteins-stayed-rigid">Early synthetic proteins stayed rigid</h2>



Earlier synthetic proteins were usually static. They stayed locked in one form, which was enough for some tasks but limiting for signals that rely on on-off mechanisms.



Medications that control metabolism or cell division often target proteins that move between active and inactive states. The ability to design synthetic versions with similar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-covid-persistent-spike-proteins-accumulate-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dynamics</a> could transform drug development.



<a href="https://kortemmelab.ucsf.edu/current---amy-guo.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amy Guo</a>, a graduate student at UCSF, focused on adding a small swinging segment to a simple protein so it could bind a calcium ion. The new segment switched positions based on the presence or absence of that ion.



Upon success, she tapped advanced modeling techniques to verify that the structure would remain stable in both configurations. These techniques relied on a library of possible shapes before converging on the final two.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-small-loop-to-change-protein-shape">One small loop to change protein shape</h2>



One crucial test involved nuclear magnetic resonance simulations performed by <a href="https://pharm.ucsf.edu/nmr/people/kelly" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Kelly</a>, a pharmaceutical chemist at UCSF. 



Those simulations confirmed the synthetic protein could capture calcium, then return to its original shape.



Research teams have been fascinated by how small modifications open the door to more sophisticated reactions. A short movable loop can reconfigure a protein’s entire structure, paving the way for sensors that pick up subtle signals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



Scientists see applications in <a href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2017/07/biosensors-your-health" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biosensors</a> that monitor conditions in living organisms and trigger alerts for early disease signs. Others imagine proteins that break down plastics or adapt crops to temperature extremes.



“This study is the first step on a path that will lead far beyond biomedicine, into agriculture and the environment,” said Tanja Kortemme. Her team’s achievements underline the importance of shape-shifting proteins in diverse applications.



“We wanted to devise a design method that could be applied in lots of situations,” said Guo. She observed that small tweaks in a protein’s design could lock or unlock its active state.&nbsp;



These efforts may help shape new therapeutics that sense chemical signals in the body, respond to them, then revert to a resting form. Such changes enable more targeted interventions, possibly reducing side effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shape-shifting-proteins-use-energy-wisely">Shape-shifting proteins use energy wisely</h2>



Researchers note that engines of metabolism, immune responses, and other essential systems function through shifting proteins. A well-tuned synthetic protein might repair micro-fractures in metals or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plants-rewire-themselves-to-battle-the-cold/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">boost crop resilience</a>.



“That really gives me confidence that this was for real, that we really did it,” said Guo. The finding was confirmed through multiple analytical steps.



“The possibilities are truly endless,” said Guo. Experimental validations continue, indicating that shape-changing proteins could transform a range of scientific fields.



<a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adr7094" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dynamic proteins</a> mirror nature’s preference for efficient processes, as their conformational shifts often hinge on specific environmental cues. Their shapes adapt only when needed, minimizing energy waste while enhancing reactivity.



Engineered molecules with these qualities can address urgent issues in healthcare and ecological management. 



A shape-altering protein could detect a pollutant, neutralize it, then reset itself for another encounter, giving it an edge over conventional static systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-artificial-proteins-that-react">Building artificial proteins that react</h2>



Some researchers envision <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-model-esm3-creates-new-protein-that-simulates-500-million-years-of-biological-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial proteins</a> that function like finely tuned switches in the body’s immune system. These switches could identify a virus or tumor marker, change shape to deliver a therapeutic agent, and revert once the threat is resolved.



Others point to potential uses in synthetic biology for producing fuels or sustainable materials. Such proteins might adapt their structure based on temperature shifts, ensuring optimal performance in diverse industrial processes.



Additional exploration could involve harnessing shape-shifting proteins to stabilize vaccines. By flexibly responding to temperature fluctuations, these molecules might reduce cold-chain requirements in resource-limited areas.



Researchers are also examining whether dynamic proteins can handle tasks that require rapid structural changes under mechanical stress. This could shape the future of engineering fields that rely on adaptive materials.



The study is published in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40403060/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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New shape-shifting proteins open doors in medicine and farming

Proteins are central to life because they shift shape in...

If you’ve ever noticed how squirrels vastly outnumber foxes in your neighborhood - or seen the same car brands dominate parking lots - you’re observing a pattern that governs not just human-made environments, but the natural world at every scale.



This pattern, where a few species are extremely common while most remain rare, is called the “hollow curve” species-abundance distribution.



For nearly a century, ecologists have sought a unified model to explain it. Now, researchers from the <a href="https://www.virginia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Virginia</a> (UVA) believe they’ve found that model.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-universal-pattern-in-nature">Universal pattern in nature</h2>



In a recent study, the team analyzed an enormous array of 30,000 datasets covering ecosystems from U.S. forests to the microbial colonies in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-methane-producing-microbe-discovered-in-the-human-gut/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human gut</a>. 



The researchers discovered that a mathematical model known as the “powerbend distribution” consistently describes how species are spread out. This applies to birds, trees, bacteria, and other organisms in communities across the planet.



“This is the first study to comprehensively examine all types of organisms, large and small,” said Martin Wu, professor of biology at UVA and co-author of the study. “We found that the powerbend distribution consistently fits communities of all life forms, habitats, and abundance scales.”



The powerbend model shows most species are rare, while a few are extremely common - a core pattern in ecology.



Wu explains this through an everyday example: “If you walk around UVA, you might see a lot of squirrels and, only once in a while, a raccoon or fox. If you look at cars on city streets, you’ll see a lot of Hondas, Toyotas, or Fords, but there are many other brands you only see every once in a while.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-estimating-life-we-can-t-see">Estimating life we can't see</h2>



The breakthrough isn’t just about better understanding nature - it also has practical implications for conservation and environmental monitoring. The powerbend model allows scientists to estimate the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-light-sustains-biodiversity-over-millions-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> of a region without needing to count every individual organism.



“Previously, if I collected one gram of soil, I had no way of knowing how many bacterial species it contained,” Wu said. “Now that we have the model, I don’t need to enumerate every single cell in the soil and I can have a pretty good estimate.”



This is particularly important when dealing with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-laid-the-foundation-for-early-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbes</a>, which are notoriously difficult to grow and study using traditional lab techniques. Prior to the development of DNA sequencing tools around 2008, scientists struggled to survey microbial communities effectively.



Since then, technological advances have given microbiologists access to vast genetic data, transforming our understanding of microbes.



“You can go to a forest to survey trees or use binoculars to look at birds, but until recent DNA sequencing technologies became available, we couldn’t easily survey microbes,” Wu said. “Since 2008, there’s been an explosion of microbial survey data, and we’re learning a lot.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecology-meets-math">Ecology meets math</h2>



Though Wu is a microbiologist by training, the turning point in the research came when two math-savvy graduate students - Yingnan Gao and Ahmed Abdullah - joined his lab. Their expertise allowed the team to rigorously test the powerbend distribution against real-world datasets across ecosystems, organisms, and regions.



The model even made its way into the classroom. “Using a thumb drive-sized DNA sequencer and a laptop, we did a real-time demonstration in the class when we surveyed the gut microbiome of a beloved professor known to students,” Wu said. “It was a great way to show the students what kind of microbes live in the gut.”



The exercise gave students the chance to become “microbe detectives” in a hands-on lab course focused on sequencing-based ecological surveys.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pattern-stretches-across-life">Pattern stretches across life</h2>



One dataset in the study looked at the pattern of tree species across the United States. In Virginia, for instance, five species - red maple, loblolly pine, yellow poplar, sweetgum, and American holly - make up about 45% of the state’s 10.6 billion trees. The remaining 55% is spread across over 120 other species.



“Generally, you’ll find that 20% of tree species account for 80% of the total abundance,” Wu said. “This follows the Pareto Principle, a term coined by Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who found that 20% of the population controlled 80% of the wealth.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-formula-for-nature">A formula for nature</h2>



The discovery of the powerbend distribution as a consistent and predictive model offers scientists a new tool for tackling ecological questions. 



More than that, it reaffirms that despite the dizzying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microfossils-reveal-a-leap-in-lifes-complexity-2-4-billion-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complexity of life</a> on Earth, there are underlying patterns that unify everything from backyard birds to invisible bacteria.



As ecologists confront biodiversity loss and work to restore ecosystems, understanding natural species distribution patterns could be a crucial step forward. Thanks to the UVA team’s work, that understanding just got a lot clearer.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59253-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Life's hidden pattern: Why most species are rare but a few rule the world

If you’ve ever noticed how squirrels vastly outnumber foxes in...

The arrival of flowering <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollen-records-reveal-winters-role-in-plant-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> reshaped the living world. They filled it with color, scent, and new ways to thrive. But when did it all begin?



For centuries, scientists have chased that answer. They studied fossils, analyzed leaves, and dug deep into Earth's layers. And now, with the help of something as small as dust, a research team from Germany may have brought us closer to the truth.



They didn’t find a forest. They didn’t find flowers. What they found was four tiny grains of pollen - and those grains may change what we know about evolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-pollen-changes-flower-timeline">Ancient pollen changes flower timeline</h2>



At just 20 micrometers wide, pollen <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-honey-bee-day-protecting-our-vital-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">grains</a> are smaller than a human hair. You can’t see them floating past you on a breeze. But preserved in ancient rock, they act like time capsules. 



Pollen grains hold stories about the plants that made them, the landscapes that held them, and the creatures that may have brushed past them.



Scientists from <a href="https://www.uni-hannover.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leibniz University Hannover</a> and the <a href="https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bonn</a> took a closer look at sedimentary layers in Portugal’s Lusitanian Basin. That region was once covered by a shallow sea. Over 100 million years ago, rivers flowed into it, carrying pollen and plant material from nearby land.



Buried beneath layers of sediment, the pollen fossilized. And when scientists scanned those layers using high-resolution laser microscopy, something rare flickered back at them - a type of pollen called tricolpate.



Tricolpate grains have three furrows on their surface. It’s not just a decorative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollen-can-actually-change-the-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feature</a>. It’s a marker, a signal that these grains came from a particular group of plants: the eudicots.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-emergence-of-flowering-plants">The emergence of flowering plants </h2>



Eudicots make up the largest group of flowering <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-transforming-pollen-science-and-health-planning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> today. They include roses, tomatoes, sunflowers, and more. Nearly three-quarters of all angiosperms fall into this category. 



Finding tricolpate pollen in ancient marine sediment was exciting on its own. But what made the discovery groundbreaking was the age of the sediment.



Until now, most scientists believed that eudicots first appeared around 121 million years ago. These new grains? They were 123 million years old.



That might not seem like a big difference, but in evolutionary terms, two million years is enough time for significant changes to take root. Enough time for new traits to evolve, for ecosystems to shift, and for plant life to expand into new territories.



Professor Heimhofer noted that the emergence of flowering plants altered the biological diversity considerably. "But exactly where and when this development began has been an enigma that Darwin already called an 'abominable mystery,'" said Dr. Gravendyck.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flowering-plants-appeared-much-later">Flowering plants appeared much later</h2>



The planet has been green for a long time, but it didn’t always look the way it does now. The earliest land plants, like mosses, started appearing around 485 million years ago during the Ordovician period. 



Later came ferns, ginkgos, and towering conifers. They dominated forests for hundreds of millions of years.



Flowering plants - angiosperms - arrived much later. Their sudden diversity puzzled Charles Darwin, who referred to their rapid appearance in the fossil record as a mystery that needed solving.



The team’s discovery of eudicot pollen helps chip away at that mystery. It not only pushes back the earliest known appearance of this plant group but also offers stronger, more reliable evidence of when and where it happened.



But finding pollen in the dirt isn’t enough. To make sure they had the date right, the researchers needed another kind of fossil - one that could speak for the ocean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-record-in-seashell-fossils">A record in seashell fossils</h2>



Alongside the pollen, the researchers found fossilized seashells made of calcium carbonate. These shells, shaped in ancient seawater, captured the chemical signature of the environment around them. One element in particular, strontium, proved useful.



Strontium isotopes shift over time in known patterns. By analyzing the isotope ratio in the shells, scientists matched them to reference curves that span millions of years. Think of it like geological carbon dating, but with shells instead of bones.



This method confirmed that the sediment layer dated to about 123 million years ago - exactly when the tricolpate pollen would have settled and fossilized.



This combination of pollen structure and strontium isotope dating gave the researchers something rare: a double-checked moment in time. The flowers had arrived earlier than expected. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-flowers-grew-in-cooler-regions">Early flowers grew in cooler regions</h2>



There’s something else this discovery hints at - where these early flowers might have grown. For a long time, scientists assumed angiosperms started in warm, tropical environments. But the Lusitanian Basin, 123 million years ago, sat in the mid-latitudes. Not hot, not tropical.



That means early flowering plants may have been tougher and more widespread than expected. They weren’t just jungle plants. They may have thrived in places with seasons, cooler temperatures, or unpredictable climates.



This shift in location challenges old ideas. If flowers could bloom outside the tropics that early, they might have spread more quickly across the globe, adapting to a wide range of ecosystems as they moved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-way-to-study-ancient-life">A new way to study ancient life</h2>



The techniques used in this study are as important as the findings themselves. By combining high-resolution imaging with chemical dating, the team created a new way to approach plant evolution. 



They didn’t rely on guesswork or single fossils. They used two independent systems to cross-check the age and origin of their samples.



The research could help scientists better understand other mysterious fossils - especially in places where traditional fossil records are patchy or unclear. Pollen, it turns out, may be one of our best tools for mapping the rise of plants.



The study, published in the <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2421470122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>, may lead to more discoveries like this - tiny clues in forgotten sediments that rewrite big chapters in Earth’s story.



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Flowering plants appeared two million years earlier than we thought

The arrival of flowering plants reshaped the living world. They...

Many spice enthusiasts have experienced the rush of biting into a spicy dish, only to realize it is far more intense than expected. Everyone has their own threshold for heat, and chili peppers tend to push those boundaries.



Lately, scientists have been looking for ways to dial down that tongue-tingling burn without compromising flavor. 



Devin Peterson, professor of food science and technology, is part of a team at <a href="https://www.osu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ohio State University</a> behind a project exploring new chili pepper <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-sweetener-erythritol-sugar-substitute-linked-to-blood-clots-heart-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">compounds</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-natural-molecules-reduce-pepper-heat">Natural molecules reduce pepper heat</h2>



The researchers measured how different peppers stack up on the <a href="https://www.alimentarium.org/en/story/scoville-scale" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scoville scale</a>, which compares spice levels across varieties. They tested 10 pepper cultivars and then ran multiple evaluations to see if certain molecules were interfering with the typical burn.



Additional chemical analysis singled out compounds that seemed to reduce perceived pungency, even when each pepper was expected to produce similar heat. Subsequent taste tests highlighted three specific molecules: <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Capsianoside-I" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Capsianoside I</a>, <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Roseoside" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roseoside</a>, and <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Gingerglycolipid-A" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gingerglycolipid A</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-compounds-could-help-control-spice-in-food">Compounds could help control spice in food</h2>



“If you’re at home and you’ve ordered <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/potatoes-are-an-unexpected-ally-for-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cuisine</a> that has spice to it that’s a little too hot for some tastes, you can just sprinkle on a form of chili pepper that has got these suppressant agents in them that will dial it down,” said Peterson.&nbsp;



One compound was capable of tempering the sensation of chili peppers without masking their overall taste. Researchers believe this could lead to an anti-spice product that people can store at home.&nbsp;



“I think the idea of using a natural material as an anti-spice, especially for somebody with kids, would have value as a household ingredient,” noted Peterson.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mild-chili-peppers-with-less-burn">Mild chili peppers with less burn</h2>



Food can bring joy, but intense chili pepper heat can overwhelm some diners. With newly identified molecules, it may be possible to produce peppers that cater to diverse preferences.



Another angle is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK5260/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TRPV1 receptor</a> activation, which triggers pain signals after exposure to <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263570067_Peppers_Vegetable_and_Spice_Capsicums_2nd_edition_by_Paul_W_Bosland_and_Eric_J_Votava" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Capsaicin</a>. Researchers see potential in the heat-suppressing agents to manage discomfort without causing that sharp burning feeling.



Farmers might benefit from peppers designed for moderate spice while retaining the peppers’ signature flavors. Tailoring certain traits can broaden the range of peppers on the market.



Hybrid approaches may also enrich the pepper profile with heat-reducing components. This could help chefs who want that iconic flavor with a milder punch.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-blockers-may-also-ease-pain">Heat blockers may also ease pain</h2>



The results shine a light on how complex pungency can be. Beyond two famous compounds, the subtle interplay among other agents holds fresh opportunities for product innovation.



Scientists plan to expand their work to see how these suppressors behave in other foods. The initial evidence indicates that they could apply to broader contexts.



<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3169333/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studies</a> show that capsaicin-based creams can ease aches. The presence of less irritating molecules might open paths for pain relief without intense irritation.



Some people avoid strong treatments because of side effects, so a gentler compound could be good news. Supporters see this as a pathway to more comfortable solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mild-chili-peppers-retain-old-traits">Mild chili peppers retain old traits</h2>



Peppers supply more than just heat. They are packed with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-coffee-is-missing-these-five-brain-boosting-spices/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">taste</a>, aroma, and color that enhance many recipes.



Investigations into these hidden molecules show that it is possible to keep the appealing aspects of peppers while limiting the discomfort. Cooks may gain a wider range of meal options.



Consumers vary in their spice tolerance. Some crave the challenge, while others stick to mild flavors.



Developers can cater to both ends of the spectrum by blending different peppers. This idea could transform mealtimes for families with mixed preferences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-spice-with-choice">Balancing spice with choice</h2>



Though the science is still growing, these findings have stirred up talk about possible commercial goods. Adaptations might appear in grocery aisles, letting individuals adjust heat levels to suit their mood.



The group behind this work sees it as part of a broader shift toward customizable food experiences. They believe comfort and taste can co-exist.



Restaurants could eventually adopt the idea, offering optional add-ons that reduce spice after a dish is served. It would mean more flexibility when trying bold flavors.



Staying open to these innovative uses of mild chili peppers may change the way people approach spicy foods. Differences in taste should never limit anyone’s enjoyment of a shared meal.



The study is published in the <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c01448" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry</a>.



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Mild chili peppers may be the 'anti-spice' we've been looking for

Many spice enthusiasts have experienced the rush of biting into...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE
</div></figure>



On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop and sunlight barely penetrates through the polar winter. It was here, however, that an international team of scientists found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predatory-worms-were-terror-beasts-half-a-billion-years-ago/#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence of sea monsters</a> that would change our understanding of ocean life in the past.



This video captures the discovery of Timorebestia fossils that had been hidden for more than 500 million years in the Sirius Passet formation. The "terror beasts," as they are called, are a hidden chapter in the evolutionary history of <a href="https://www.earth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>, showing that sophisticated predator-prey interactions occurred much earlier than previously envisioned.



Dr. Jakob Vinther and his research team at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>, in collaboration with researchers at the <a href="https://eng.kopri.re.kr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Korean Polar Research Institute</a>, braved extreme weather conditions at 82.5 north latitude to locate these giant creatures. Using sophisticated electron microprobe analysis, they revealed the detailed anatomy of the animals, including their muscle and nerve tissues.



The find upsets the traditional timeline of sea predators. Although we've long appreciated that Cambrian oceans were at one time ruled by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWI3-UgA3_o&amp;list=PL1QLQMW9MWDwpkFOnvgAmu7wT6rZmYqdJ&amp;index=19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arthropods</a>, these discoveries indicate that relatives of arrow worms were first to dominate the seas. These worms were building sophisticated food webs several million years before other predator groups arose.



Each fossil is a story of ancient hunger, with fossil stomach contents revealing these meter-long beasts dined on heavily armored arthropods regularly, cementing their place as the ocean's first apex predators.



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">New York is the site of the world's oldest forest.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-385-million-year-old-trees-discovered">385-million-year-old trees discovered</h2>



Scientists have uncovered something extraordinary just two hours north of New York City. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-forest-discovered-close-to-new-york-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">world's oldest forest</a>, dating back 385 million years, offers a window into how Earth's first complex forests shaped our planet's atmosphere.



Located near <a href="https://townofcairo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cairo, New York</a>, in Greene County, these weren't merely primitive plants struggling to survive. These were sophisticated trees with root systems remarkably similar to modern forests. This ancient woodland predates dinosaurs by 140 million years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cairo-forest-discovery">The Cairo forest discovery</h2>



385 million years ago, upstate New York was a tropical paradise near the equator. Thanks to continental drift, this ancient forest has traveled thousands of miles to its current location.



The fossil forest sits in an abandoned quarry, roughly half the size of a football field. This represents just a slice of what was likely a massive forest system stretching from New York into Pennsylvania.



Charles Ver Straeten, curator of sedimentary rocks at the <a href="https://www.nysm.nysed.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York State Museum</a>, made the discovery in 2009. While scouting the former highway department property, his trained eye spotted wandering patterns in the stone that looked like marine features.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-age-and-preservation">Revolutionary age and preservation</h2>



The site contains 385-million-year-old rocks with fossilized woody roots forming horizontal patterns up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide. As Christopher Berry, a paleobotanist at Cardiff University, explains: "You are walking through the roots of ancient trees."



This discovery pushes back advanced tree evolution by millions of years. The research, published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a> in December 2019, fundamentally changes our understanding of when complex forests first emerged.



Researchers believe a massive flood buried the forest floor, creating perfect fossilization conditions. Over millions of years, sediment hardened into rock, preserving these root patterns like nature's time capsule.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-archaeopteris-the-first-modern-tree">Meet Archaeopteris: the first modern tree</h2>



The star of this ancient forest is Archaeopteris – not to be confused with the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx. This tree was far older and more revolutionary.



William Stein from <a href="https://www.binghamton.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Binghamton University</a> describes the roots as "strikingly modern, essentially what you'd see outside in my yard right now." These weren't simple root systems you'd expect from ancient plants.



Some fossilized roots are six inches (15 centimeters) in diameter, forming 36-foot-wide (11-meter) patterns. These giants grew up to 65 feet (20 meters) tall with five-foot-diameter (1.5-meter) trunks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-changing-impact">Climate-changing impact</h2>



These trees fundamentally changed Earth's environment. Kevin Boyce, a Stanford University geoscientist, explains how their deep roots triggered "weathering," chemical reactions that pulled carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.



This process dropped atmospheric CO2 levels from 10-15 times higher than today to roughly modern concentrations. These ancient trees helped create atmospheric conditions that made complex life possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-forest-ecosystem">Ancient forest ecosystem</h2>



The forest was remarkably diverse. Scientists identified Eospermatopteris, palm tree-like plants with short roots that reached 30 feet (9 meters) tall but lacked woody structure. The forest also housed cladoxylopsids and a mysterious third species still being studied.



All reproduced through spores rather than seeds – millions of years before seeds evolved. This tropical environment had no grass, flowers, or flying insects, just towering trees creating Earth's first complex forest canopy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientific-significance">Scientific significance</h2>



Before this finding, the Gilboa forest, located 25 miles (40 kilometers) away, held the "oldest forest" title. Cairo's trees are 2-3 million years older, showing that complex forest ecosystems developed much faster than scientists believed possible.



Patricia Gensel, a <a href="https://www.unc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina</a> paleobotanist, notes: "The size of those root systems is really changing the picture. Even 20 years ago, researchers assumed trees with such complex root systems didn't evolve so early."



The Cairo site presents three unique root systems, suggesting Devonian period forests were diverse ecosystems with different trees occupying different environmental niches, much like today's forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-preservation-efforts">Modern preservation efforts</h2>



In 2022, New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey secured a $170,000 grant for the town of Cairo to construct specialized fencing around the fossil forest site. The town plans to conduct a feasibility study exploring the possibility of creating an educational center and working lab on-site.



Joe Hasenkopf, chair of the Cairo Planning Board, hopes to partner with educational institutions to create a research facility serving scientists, students, and the public.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-today-s-climate">Lessons for today's climate</h2>



Why does a 385-million-year-old forest matter today? It shows how dramatically forests can change Earth's climate. These ancient woodlands created the atmospheric conditions supporting complex life.



Understanding how prehistoric forests transformed the planet helps us appreciate modern forests' critical role in addressing climate change. Forests remain Earth's most effective carbon capture systems.



These prehistoric trees changed Earth's atmosphere by pulling massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the air. As we face modern climate challenges, this ancient forest reminds us of trees' incredible power to transform our planet's environment.



The next time you walk through a forest, remember you're experiencing an ecosystem whose blueprint was established 385 million years ago in upstate New York. These ancient pioneers didn't just survive – they thrived and changed the world forever.



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



-----



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ New York is the site of the world's oldest...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-don-t-we-ever-hear-about-acid-rain-anymore-the-environmental-crisis-that-was-solved">Why don't we ever hear about "acid rain" anymore? The environmental crisis that was solved</h2>



Remember the 1980s when acid rain dominated headlines? Dire warnings about rain eating buildings, killing fish, and destroying forests filled every news cycle. Then, almost like magic, acid rain vanished from public discourse. What happened? Did we actually solve one of the late 20th century's most pressing environmental challenges?



The answer might surprise you. Unlike many environmental issues that drag on indefinitely, acid rain represents one of modern history's most successful ecological recovery stories. It's a tale of science, politics, and technology working together to tackle what seemed impossible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What was acid rain?</h2>



Acid rain isn't regular rain having a bad day – it's precipitation that became significantly more acidic due to air pollution. When power plants, factories, and vehicles burn fossil fuels, they release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The science behind it</h2>



Think of acid rain as nature's chemistry experiment gone wrong. These compounds react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. When mixed with water vapor in clouds, they create precipitation with dangerously low pH levels.



While clean rain has a pH of about 5.6, acid rain could drop as low as 4.2 to 4.4 – roughly as acidic as tomato juice or coffee. According to US Geological Survey documentation, Scottish chemist Angus Smith first coined "acid rain" in 1872, but it didn't become a household phrase until the 1960s and 1970s when Swedish scientist Svante Odén documented its devastating effects on Scandinavian lakes and European forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The crisis at its peak</h2>



During the height of public concern, environmental damage was both widespread and visible. This wasn't some abstract future threat – people could see destruction happening in real-time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Environmental devastation</h2>



The most dramatic impacts were impossible to ignore. Research documented by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shows that in the Adirondack Mountains, more than 200 lakes became so acidic they couldn't support fish life. The Adirondack Council reports that 409 lakes once supported brook trout, but many lost their fish populations due to acid rain.



By 1976, when scientists cataloged all acidified lakes in the Adirondack Park, researchers found that half of the lakes over 2,000 feet above sea level had no fish, according to studies published in environmental journals. The acidification process worked like a slow-motion disaster. As acid rain fell into watersheds, it gradually lowered pH levels. Fish couldn't survive in acidic water, and their food sources died off too.



Trees at high elevations showed stress directly linked to acid rain. It weakened them by leaching nutrients and making them susceptible to disease. Historical records show Germany's Black Forest saw nearly half its trees damaged by the mid-1980s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Economic impact</h2>



Acid rain wasn't just environmental – it was expensive. Acidic precipitation corroded infrastructure, buildings, and monuments. Historic stone structures deteriorated at accelerated rates. Tourism suffered as lakes became fishless and forests declined. EPA economic analyses from the period documented repair costs mounting into billions annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The solution: government action and technology</h2>



Transformation from crisis to success required unprecedented cooperation between governments, industries, and environmental groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Clean Air Act of 1990</h2>



The turning point came with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, signed by President George H.W. Bush. This represented a fundamentally new approach to environmental regulation, as documented in EPA historical records.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cap-and-trade success</h2>



Instead of mandating specific technologies, the 1990 amendments introduced something revolutionary: a cap-and-trade system for sulfur dioxide emissions. EPA program documentation shows this market-based approach set overall limits but allowed companies to trade emission allowances.



The genius was harnessing market forces to find cost-effective pollution reduction. Companies reducing emissions cheaply could sell excess allowances to those facing higher costs. Research published in environmental economics journals and EPA progress reports shows this resulted in dramatic SO2 reduction at a fraction of projected costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Technology advances</h2>



Policy provided the framework, but technology made reductions possible. Studies in atmospheric science journals document the widespread adoption of flue gas desulfurization systems ("scrubbers") that removed sulfur dioxide before it reached the atmosphere. By the 2000s, new installations could remove over 95% of SO2 emissions, according to EPA technical reports.



The push coincided with cleaner energy development. Natural gas produces fewer sulfur compounds than coal. Wind and solar, emerging in the 1990s, captured growing market share, reducing reliance on high-sulfur coal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-we-don-t-hear-about-it-today">Why we don't hear about it today</h2>



Why did acid rain disappear from headlines? Simple: the problem was largely solved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Success doesn't make news</h2>



There's an old journalism saying: "If it bleeds, it leads." Environmental success stories don't generate urgency like crisis reporting. Media attention shifted to other challenges: climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss. There's only so much environmental anxiety the public can absorb, and newer concerns replaced acid rain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mission accomplished</h2>



The primary reason is beautifully simple: interventions worked. EPA monitoring data shows sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990. Academic research published in environmental science journals confirms pH levels in formerly affected areas returned closer to normal. This represents one of history's most dramatic environmental recoveries. Studies by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation show fishless lakes now support healthy populations. Forests recovered, and building damage slowed dramatically.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-it-really-gone">Is it really gone?</h2>



The crisis is largely resolved, but monitoring data shows the problem isn't completely eliminated – it's managed to acceptable levels. Some areas still experience occasional events during high pollution periods. International environmental research indicates that rapidly industrializing Asian countries face similar problems to what we experienced decades ago, though they're implementing successful strategies.



EPA research shows nitrogen oxide emissions proved more challenging than sulfur dioxide, coming from vehicles and mobile sources. Climate science studies suggest changing weather patterns add complexity to how acid rain forms and falls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What this teaches us</h2>



The acid rain experience proves that seemingly intractable environmental problems can be solved with scientific understanding, political will, and technological innovation. Environmental monitoring data shows recovery speed was remarkable – within a decade, measurable improvements appeared in air quality and ecosystem health.



Success came from bipartisan support across party lines. Policy analysis studies show the market-based approach appealed to those preferring economic incentives while achieving environmental goals. This support created lasting policy surviving political changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2>



Acid rain's disappearance from public consciousness represents environmental science's greatest success stories. Through effective regulation, technological innovation, and international cooperation, we transformed an overwhelming crisis into a manageable challenge.



Today's silence isn't because we forgot – it's because we solved it. The 1990 Clean Air Act, combined with technology and energy market changes, reduced acid rain emissions over 90%, according to comprehensive EPA data analysis.



This success offers hope for current challenges. It proves complex problems can be solved when science, policy, and technology work together. As we face climate change and plastic pollution, acid rain reminds us that dramatic positive change is possible.



Next time someone asks whether environmental regulations work, remember acid rain. It's proof that sometimes, we get it right.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Sources: This article draws from EPA official documentation and progress reports, peer-reviewed research published in environmental and atmospheric science journals, historical data from the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation records, US Geological Survey publications, policy analysis studies, and environmental monitoring data collected over three decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



1. Is acid rain completely gone? No, but EPA monitoring shows it's reduced to manageable levels. US sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990, making acid rain much less severe than the 1980s crisis.



2. How long did solving take? Environmental monitoring data shows significant improvements began within 5-10 years of 1990s emission controls. Full ecosystem recovery took longer – some areas need 20-30 years for complete recovery.



3. What made the solution successful? Clear scientific understanding, visible damage motivating action, bipartisan support, available technology, and innovative market-based policies like cap-and-trade.



4. Do other countries have acid rain problems? Yes, particularly rapidly industrializing Asian countries. However, international environmental research shows many implement similar successful control strategies.



5. Could acid rain return? Potentially, if regulations weaken or we return to high-sulfur coal without controls, though effects would take years to become severe according to environmental projections.



6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"? The United States Environmental Protection Agency produced a wonderful teacher's guide for ages 14 and under that you can find on the EPA website here: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf</a>



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The environmental problem we actually solved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk Acid rain and a crisis solved. Why don't we...

Fresh,Radish,Harvest,On,Soil,In,Garden.

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex
</div></figure>







Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving fall garden, and this guide lays out the best vegetables and herbs to plant now for a fruitful autumn harvest. 



Fast-growing leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, kale, and arugula perform especially well in the waning summer heat, with harvests beginning as soon as 30 days. 



These cool-season crops relish the transition into fall, offering repeated yields with cut-and-come-again methods.



Root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and beets also excel during this period. Radishes deliver satisfaction in under a month, while carrots and beets mature in about two months. Employing succession planting ensures a continuous stream of produce deep into the cooler months. 



For a boost of fresh flavor, herbs like cilantro, basil, dill, and chervil are excellent picks. These heat-loving varieties flourish in July’s warmth and are harvest-ready in about 30 days, especially when sown continuously.



Gardeners in zones 6 through 9 can benefit from planting bush beans and snap peas, which don’t require trellising and are ideal for compact plots. 



Maturing in 50–60 days, they’re a smart choice for quick, protein-rich harvests. For those in hotter regions, heat-tolerant crops such as okra and southern peas provide reliable yields and thrive in scorching conditions.



This guide emphasizes more than crop selection—it highlights the importance of timing, soil preparation, and ongoing sowing techniques. 



With thoughtful planning and attention to regional climate needs, even late-summer gardeners can enjoy fresh salads, hearty stews, and the satisfaction of a robust, homegrown harvest well into fall.



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving...

Green,Ecoduct,Over,An,Empty,Highway,During,Sunset.

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. 



Frogs and salamanders often cross roads to reach breeding ponds each spring, but many are killed by vehicles. 



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, in collaboration with local citizens and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, installed two underpass tunnels in 2015. 



Over a 12-year monitoring period, they observed an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths, and up to 94% for non-climbing species like salamanders. 



The study used a before-after-control-impact design and documented more than 5,200 amphibians, highlighting the tunnels’ effectiveness even in nearby buffer zones.



Funded at $342,397 - far cheaper than wildlife crossings for large mammals - the project showcased the power of community-led conservation.



Local groups initiated the effort after observing mass amphibian deaths. Wildlife cameras later captured over 2,200 amphibians using a tunnel in just one spring, along with other species like raccoons and bobcats, indicating wider ecosystem benefits.



This marks the first peer-reviewed, long-term data set in the northeastern U.S. confirming amphibian-specific underpasses work. 



The study urges transportation departments to incorporate these designs into road planning and highlights how community action, thoughtful infrastructure, and persistence can make a real difference for biodiversity.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1617138125000780" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal for Nature Conservation</a>.



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that...

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



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Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



Prebiotics act as food for these microbes, helping them thrive. Together, they form "synbiotics," a powerful health combination.



Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh from India's Jaypee Institute of Information Technology took an innovative approach, using natural prebiotics like corn and honey instead of complex processing methods. 



They created five chocolate varieties: a control and four synbiotic versions containing different combinations of prebiotics, probiotics (Lactobacillus strains), and flavor enhancers (cinnamon or orange).



Laboratory simulations of human digestion showed the probiotics remained viable for over five hours, suggesting they could survive long enough to benefit gut health.



Taste tests were positive, with researchers particularly enjoying the orange-flavored variety, describing it as having "vibrant citrus notes" complementing the "rich cocoa" with a "luxurious" texture.



This research represents just the beginning. With further refinement of strains, textures, and flavors, chocolate could evolve beyond mere indulgence to become a functional food that nourishes while it delights.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Nushagak Bay, a large estuary in southwest Alaska. Nushagak runs mainly north to south and exits in Bristol Bay, a large body of water in the Bering Sea.



"The bay is primarily fed by the Nushagak River, which begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest approximately 450 km. The bay is also fed by several additional rivers including the Wood, Igushik, Snake and Weary rivers," says ESA.



"The dark colors of the Nushagak River are most likely due to tannins or lignins (chemical substances found in plants). Tannins and lignins from roots, leaves, seeds, bark and soil can leach into the water and give it a brown or even black colour. The sediments then flow southwards where it is mixed with the bluer waters of the bay."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.



"The main antigenic targets of influenza virus are two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Whereas the structural and dynamical properties of both glycoproteins have been studied previously, the understanding of their plasticity in the whole-virion context is fragmented," wrote the researchers.



To investigate, the team conducted detailed simulations of the influenza A H1N1 virion, or the swine flu. The experts concluded that the visualizations show many new vulnerable states of flu viruses, which could improve future vaccines and antiviral drugs.



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Trasimeno, which is located west of Perugia in central Italy. It is the fourth largest lake in the country. While Trasimeno’s water level varies, it has a maximum depth of approximately six meters.&nbsp;



"In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, captured on 6 August 2022, the lake’s emerald green colour is likely due to the presence of phytoplankton. Streaks in the water, particularly visible in the west, indicate the presence of soil and sediments which have been stirred up by winds. Dark colored waters in the southern part of the lake indicate a presence of submerged and floating macrophytes (aquatic plants) as well as algae," says ESA.



"Surrounded by hills on three sides, Trasimeno is subject to heavy storms created by winds, especially from the north and west. There are three islets in the lake: Maggiore, Minore and Polvese (the largest). The lake’s shores are sparsely inhabited with only two popular villages: Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno."



"Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years which has affected drinking water supplies, hydroelectric power and agricultural production. High temperatures, hot winds and lack of rainfall are the main causes of drought in the Umbrian region which saw Lake Trasimeno’s drop 1.3 m, reaching the limit of the hydrometric zero in July 2022."



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;



The oxidized form of mercury can be harmful when it is ingested through contaminated water or food. This makes it necessary for experts to develop sensors that can quickly and accurately detect the presence of mercury.&nbsp;



Zong-Hong Lin and colleagues have now created a triboelectric nanosensor (TENS) that can detect mercury by simply by touching a sample. According to the researchers, their TENS could serve as the basis for similar devices to safely and remotely monitor other pollutants.



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> explores the ability of salt to transform the way that foods and beverages taste. Salt is known to cover up undesirable flavors, such as bitterness in coffee or beer, but how exactly does sodium chloride change the taste of other compounds?



One previous study showed that, not only does salt suppress bitterness, but also enhances sweetness and sourness. Another study revealed that bitterness reduction by salt seems to be happening at the tongue receptor level as well as in the brain.&nbsp;



While it is known that salt taste is mediated by the presence of sodium channels in the form of taste buds, experts believe that there is also an unknown receptor responsible for how we taste salt that has not yet been identified.&nbsp;



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

How does salt makes things taste better?

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;



'The weather of Santiago resembles the Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (from October to March) and cool and humid winters that can drop to 0°C (from April to September)."



"The city lies in the centre of the country’s central valley around 80 km from the Pacific Ocean to the west and borders Argentina to the east. A tiny part of Argentina is visible in the top-right corner of the image where the mountain crest of the Andes Mountains acts as a divider between the two countries," says ESA.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Santiago, Chile in South America

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Spiral,Galaxy,,Illustration,Of,Milky,Way

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Astronomers at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/">Johns Hopkins University</a> have created an interactive map of the universe, including the actual position and real colors of 200,000 galaxies. The map allows the public to access data that was previously only available to scientists.



The map was developed using data collected by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. For over two decades, a telescope in New Mexico was aimed at slightly different locations to capture the night sky.&nbsp;



"Growing up I was very inspired by astronomy pictures, stars, nebulae and galaxies, and now it's our time to create a new type of picture to inspire people," said map creator Brice Ménard, a professor at Johns Hopkins. "Astrophysicists around the world have been analyzing this data for years, leading to thousands of scientific papers and discoveries. But nobody took the time to create a map that is beautiful, scientifically accurate, and accessible to people who are not scientists. Our goal here is to show everybody what the universe really looks like."



"In this map, we are just a speck at the very bottom, just one pixel. And when I say we, I mean our galaxy, the Milky Way which has billions of stars and planets. We are used to seeing astronomical pictures showing one galaxy here, one galaxy there or perhaps a group of galaxies. But what this map shows is a very, very different scale."



"From this speck at the bottom, we are able to map out galaxies across the entire universe, and that says something about the power of science."



The <a href="https://mapoftheuniverse.net/">interactive map</a> is available online, where it can be downloaded for free.



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Dublin, the capital and largest city of Ireland. Beyond its pub culture, Dublin is known as a modern culinary destination and a UNESCO City of Literature.



"Dublin is located near the midpoint of Ireland’s east coast in the province of Leinster. The city, which covers an area of around 115 square kilometers, is bordered by the Dublin Mountains, a low mountain range to the south, and is surrounded by flat farmland to the north and west," says ESA.



"The city straddles the River Liffey, which rises in the Wicklow Mountains and flows around 80 kilometers eastwards through the city of Dublin, in which it is canalised and bordered with quays. It then empties into Dublin Bay, an arm of the Irish Sea."



Dublin has an abundance of green spaces, including one of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital city. Phoenix Park, which was originally formed as a royal hunting park in the 1660s, includes 707 hectares of green space.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.



"Together with the provinces of Huesca and Teruel, Zaragoza formed the old kingdom of Aragon. Its capital, also called Zaragoza (not visible in this image) is home to around half of Aragon’s population," says ESA.



"The Ebro River can be seen winding its way through the province from west to east in this image. Between its source in the Cantabrian Mountains in the northwest and its delta on the Mediterranean coast, the Ebro River is fed by more than 200 tributaries as it flows 910 km across much of northern Spain."



Since rainfall is very scarce in this region, irrigation in the Ebro basin is critically important. In the valleys surrounding the Ebro River, many fields are used for growing crops such as corn, wheat, and barley.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Pyrenees Mountains, which form a natural boundary between France and Spain in southwest Europe.



The mountain range is 430 kilometers in length. It stretches from the Mediterranean Sea on the east to the Atlantic Ocean on the west.



At an elevation of 3404 meters, Pico de Aneto is the highest mountain peak in the Pyrenees, and the third-highest peak in Spain. Pico de Aneto is located in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, which spans more than 82,000 acres.&nbsp;



"Geological studies have revealed that the Pyrenees Mountains have been around for longer than the Alps, with their sediments first deposited in coastal basins during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras," reports ESA.



"The entire mountain range formed due to the upwelling of large sedimentary rocks by the collision of the Iberian and the Eurasian plate around 100 to 150 million years ago, followed by intense erosion from ice and water."



The western Pyrenees receive more precipitation due to moisture blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. The mountain range contains many lakes, several small glaciers, and some of the highest waterfalls in Europe.



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes two exoplanets that are orbiting a star 218 light-years away. A team of researchers led by the University of Montreal has found evidence that these planets are "water worlds."



The experts used data from NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. They discovered that exoplanets Kepler-138 c and Kepler-138 could be composed largely of water.



"We previously thought that planets that were a bit larger than Earth were big balls of metal and rock, like scaled-up versions of Earth, and that's why we called them super-Earths," explained study co-author Björn Benneke.&nbsp;



"However, we have now shown that these two planets, Kepler-138 c and d, are quite different in nature and that a big fraction of their entire volume is likely composed of water. It is the best evidence yet for water worlds, a type of planet that was theorized by astronomers to exist for a long time."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and Leah Hustak (STScI)



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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